Tin Ha Shan is the last hill along the High Junk Peak Country Trail in Clearwater Bay, Hong Kong. Its unique position provides hikers with a breathtaking double-sided panorama: Clearwater Bay to the east and Junk Bay to the west.

While it may not be as iconic as its neighbour, High Junk Peak, Tin Ha Shan is a fantastic alternative for those seeking a manageable hike with exceptional scenery. Although the summit itself is impressive, I found the views while descending toward Po Toi O and the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club to be truly outstanding!

So, if you are looking for a rewarding, relatively easy hike, this is one you shouldn’t miss.

About the Tin Ha Shan Hike

The 6.2 km High Junk Peak Country Trail passes plenty of hills along the way, most prominently High Junk Peak. However, if there is one other peak that worth diverting from the country trail and climbing, it’s Tin Ha Shan.

What makes Tin Ha Shan a good hike is that it’s relatively short, very scenic, and incorporates a fair bit of challenge especially while climbing to the summit. And what’s more is that you end the hike at Po Toi O for lunch (or dinner), where you can grab some of the best seafood in Hong Kong.

Now although you could approach this hike from the start of the High Junk Peak Country Trail, this guide will focus on the easiest access points (entrance and exit) to Tin Ha Shan.

BTW, if you own a pair of hiking gloves, I’d recommend carrying them on this hike.

Starting Point

The closest entry point to Tin Ha Shan on the High Junk Country Trail is located at Radio Control Glider Spot Pavilion on Tai Au Mun Road. For those unaware, the Radio Control Glider Spot is one of the two locations (that I know of) where locals head out to fly their radio-controlled model planes. Even if you’re not planning a hike, it’s a joy watching all the planes fly around this area!

But unfortunately, there is no bus stop next to the pavilion. The closest bus stop, Clear Water Bay Bus Terminus (above Clear Water Bay Second Beach), is located approximately 650-700 metres from the starting point.

Depending on your location, you can chart your route using Google Maps. Once you arrive the bus stop/car park for Clear Water Bay Second Beach, walk towards Tai Au Mun Road, and turn left.

Luckily there is a pedestrian path as you walk uphill on Tai Au Mun Road. As this is a twisting road, pay close attention to the traffic.

But more importantly, don’t forget to enjoy the views of Clearwater Bay as you walk.

After approximately 650-700 metres of walking, you’ll arrive at the Radio Control Glider Spot. If you’re lucky, you might get to see some of these model planes flying around.

Cross the road, towards the pavilion, and locate the steps a few paces behind the pavilion. This is the starting point for the Tin Ha Shan Hike.

The Steps To High Junk Peak Country Trail

As you step off the road, and the leave the sights of radio-controlled planes behind, you’re greeted immediately with a flight of steps. Typical Hong Kong hiking.

Fortunately, the steps are shaded and not too steep. They start off at a slightly challenging incline, and gradually taper towards the end.

After approximately 120 metres of climbing steps, the steps will end at High Junk Peak Country Trail.

To The Gap Before The Climb

The moment you step onto High Junk Peak Country Trail, turn left and follow the signs for Tai Miu.

The trail at this stage of its journey is relatively very easy. It follows a flat dirt track, onto gentle flight of steps that brings you to a bench with some of the best views of Clearwater Bay. Unlike the area below, this one is usually secluded.

After the bench, the trail follows a gentle and scenic descent into a canopy of trees, before it reaches the gap.

The Long, Challenging Climb

It doesn’t take long for the toughest section of the Tin Ha Shan hike to reveal itself. As the gap ends, the trail begins a challenging ascent. Although this stretch is only about 500 metres long, the steepness makes it feel much further.

The climb starts gently under a canopy of trees, but the incline soon sharpens, leaving you wondering where the scenery and shade went.

The path turns into rugged stone steps winding through thick vegetation, which, depending on the sun’s position, may provide some shade.

As the steps roughen and the slope steepens, the trail veers left to finally unveil a gorgeous view of Clearwater Bay. Take a moment to catch your breath and soak in the sight.

From here, the views keep you company as you continue upward. Looking back, you can see as far as High Junk Peak and LOHAS Park.

Eventually, the trail curves right and the incline levels off, though it still remains on an uphill trajectory. Follow the path past the trees until the stone steps disappear, and the ground flattens.

At the flat section, keep an eye out for a large boulder on your right. Tucked behind it is the unmarked trail leading to the summit of Tin Ha Shan.

Scramble Up Tin Ha Shan

As you turn to face the unmarked trail, you get a good view of Tin Ha Shan with its outcrop summit. And although there is no maintained trail to the summit, you should be able to follow the cleared pathway between the thickets and boulders.

The initial section is relatively easy but as a slope picks up, you might need to hoist yourself up the rocks using your hands.

You may notice multiple clearing as you climb. Truth be told, as long as you point yourself towards the summit and watch your step, you’ll be just fine ascending Tin Ha Shan. Luckily the vegetation is short enough for you to see all your surroundings. So, there’s no chance that you’d get lost.

In fact, when I reached the outcrop, I realized that it wasn’t even the summit. The summit was another 50 metres to the right.

Luckily I could see the triangulation station beyond the thickets, and made my way over to it.

Views from Tin Ha Shan

Although the views from High Junk Peak are some of my favourite, I will admit, the views from Tin Ha Shan come close.

Tin Ha Shan is a relatively short hill (273 metres), but luckily its summit is unobstructed and located at unique position giving it 360 degree sweeping views.

From High Junk Peak, Clearwater Bay, and the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club to the east, to Junk Bay and the Hong Kong skyline to the west – you can see it all from here!

The views are magnificent, and I had them all to myself.

Head Back Down

If you’re carrying hiking gloves, now is a good time to bring them out.

After soaking in all the views, head back down the same way.

Going down these rocky and unmarked trails is usually more difficult than climbing up. And having hiking gloves makes it easier to grab a boulder or shrub for balance as you descend.

Descend carefully and return to High Junk Peak Country Trail.

The Flat & Scenic Section

Once you’re back on High Junk Peak Country Trail, turn right and head toward Tai Miu. This section follows the base of Tin Ha Shan and is relatively easy, mostly flat with some rocky patches, flanked by vegetation.

Continue along the path as it begins a gentle descent. As the treeline thins, the trail opens up to reveal one of the most spectacular views of Clearwater Bay on this hike!

The terrain becomes rocky again for a stretch, but remains unobstructed, allowing you to enjoy the glorious scenery as you hike.

Eventually, the view disappears, and a canopy of trees appears up ahead. You might find yourself longing for the open ridges you just left behind, but keep going because you may be surprised by what lies just ahead.

The Incredibly Scenic Descent To Tai Miu

As the trail emerges from the canopy, you are treated to a spectacular, head-on perspective of the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, possibly the best angle on the hike. At certain points, the path is so steep it feels as though you are descending directly onto the greens!

As the trail continues to descend and veer left, the scenery focus on the fishing village of Po Toi O.

While the path steepens and briefly ducks into the bushes, the views soon return, expanding to include Tung Lung Chau, Joss House Bay, and beyond. If you’re hiking on a clear day, you’re in for a treat.

This stretch offers a rotating panorama of the golf course and the outlying islands. Along the way, keep an eye out for rocky outcrops; they are perfect spots to sit, rest, and capture an incredible photo.

Naturally, as you lose elevation, the “awe factor” of the height begins to fade, but the beauty remains. Before the dense vegetation returns, you’ll get one final, clear look at Joss House Bay and Tung Lung Chau.

Continue downhill till the vegetation returns, and the trail is back under a canopy. Walk until the descent levels out, then turn left following the signs for Tai Miu.

A final 100-metre walk through the trees will bring you to the end of the High Junk Peak Country Trail at Tai Miu Au, the gap separating the hill you just conquered from the one home to the golf club.

And with that, the panoramic descent and the hike come to an end.

Options To End The Hike

Standing in front of the gates of the Clearwater Bay Golf & Country Club, you have a couple of options to end the hike.

Recommended: Grab a meal at Po Toi O

Turn left on Tai Au Mun Road, walk for 120 metres, and then turn right on Po Toi O Chuen Road.

Then walk downhill on this road to Po Toi O village.

At the end of the village is one of our favourite seafood restaurants outside the main city. Grab a meal with a drink here, you’ve earned it.

Or head back

If you don’t feel like grabbing a bite, you can catch GMB 16 from the intersection of Po Toi O Chuen Road and Tai Au Mun Road to Hang Hau MTR.

Another Gorgeous Hike In Clearwater Bay

One of my favourite hikes in Hong Kong is the Lung Ha Wan Country Trail, which is also located in Clearwater Bay. So, it is no surprise that Tin Ha Shan ranks highly as well given that it offers similar views. In terms of difficulty, I would say Tin Ha Shan is more comparable to Lung Ha Wan than the steeper High Junk Peak.

Ultimately, regardless of which you choose, all three trails offer some of the most spectacular hiking views in Hong Kong.

We hope you found this guide to the Tin Ha Shan Hike resourceful. As always, feel free to share it on your social media channels and drop us a message if you reach the summit of Tin Ha Shan following this guide.

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